Dynamically configurable IP based wireless devices and networks

ABSTRACT

A wireless communication and control system including a wireless device. There is a central server for storing communication protocols and control protocols and communicating the communication protocols and selectively communicating the control protocols between the wireless device and the central server. A communication protocol configures the system for communication and control protocols configure the system as one of a selection of intelligent appliance controllers. Alternately the control protocols configure the system as one of a selection of Internet terminals. The wireless device is any hand-held communication device, such as a hand-held computing device, wireless telephone, or cellular phone.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/287,040, filed Nov. 1, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/047,718, filed Mar. 14, 2011, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,090,356, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/591,381, filed Jun. 9, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,929,950,which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/281,739, filed Jun. 4, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,169,789, which is acontinuation-in-part of now abandoned application Ser. No. 08/764,903,filed Dec. 16, 1996.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wireless devices are made to operate at a single set frequency totransmit and receive on a narrow frequency band. The ability totransmit/receive (T/R) and the protocols for executing the T/R functionare primarily set in the hardware and are physically set for each mobiledevice (MD). Some mobile devices (MD) include the ability to reconfigurethe MD for different environments and applications in cases where it isrequired that the phone be able to operate in these other environmentsand applications.

There is often a proliferation of mobile devices that must be carried bya user. For example, a user may need a device or remote for the publicairwaves (cell phone), another for the local or office network and yetanother for the home network such as wireless telephones, as well ascontrollers for TVs and other intelligent appliances. The present artoffers limited Internet access and pager functions on some cell phones.Merely offering Internet access and pager functions is not a solution tothe problem involved, such as relieving the proliferation of devices.

There is a need for a method to bypass the public wireless carrier, suchas cell phones, for wireless telephones for local office or homenetworks where the public carrier services are not being utilized,without changing devices. This avoids the proliferation of devicesmentioned before.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a wirelesscommunication and control system including a universal wireless device.There is a central server for storing communication protocols andcontrol protocols. The central server communicates the communicationprotocols and selectively communicates the control protocols between thewireless device and the central server. The communication protocolsconfigure the system for communication and the control protocolsconfigure the system as one of an arbitrary number of intelligentappliance controllers. Alternately the control protocols configure thesystem as one of a selection of Internet terminals. The wireless devicemay be, for example, a hand-held computing device, wireless telephone,or cellular phone.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, being incorporated in and forming a part ofthis specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles of thepresent invention:

FIG. 1 is an embodiment illustrating different wireless devices.

FIG. 2 is an embodiment of a comprehensive wireless networking scheme.

FIG. 3 is an embodiment showing how a server is incorporated in thesystem.

FIG. 4 is an embodiment showing how modes and environments may bemapped.

FIG. 5 is an embodiment of a network control box.

FIG. 6 is an embodiment illustrating the various parts of a server.

FIG. 7 is an embodiment with tables illustrating the dynamicreconfiguration of frequency, power, and bandwidth.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to preferred embodiments of theinvention, with examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Theinvention is described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments,however, it will be understood that the preferred embodiments are notintended to limit the invention. The invention is intended to coveralternatives, modifications and equivalents included, now or later,within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

In the present invention, a cell phone acts as a radio, TV and pager toreceive and transmit at different frequencies. In addition it is set tobypass the public wireless carrier for local office or home networkswhere the public carrier services are not required for communication.

The mobile device is dynamically software reconfigurable for the variousenvironments. An example is such as the public networks in one or morecountries, which may operate at different frequencies. Another exampleis found in the office, such as at one or more office locationsoperating at different frequencies, or in the home. It is desirable thatthe MD be dynamically tuned for transmit and receive functions suitablefor each environment. For example, current wireless conditions may bedetermined by sensing the signal to noise ratio and the bit error rate.These parameters are a part of an error detection, error correction(EDEC) system in an embodiment of the system of the present The allowedpower/channel bandwidth for a given environment or operating mode willbe determined, for example, from a table in Server C. This would allow aphone in the USA to work on GSM, as an example. In the present inventiona phone or other wireless device can be a remote TV controller, garagecontroller, or similar intelligent appliance. It can be a cordlessphone.

The system of the present invention, including a wireless device forminga part of the system can work with, for example, GPS, or with publicwireless location systems, to improve locating capabilities. Forinstance, since both the home and office network units/boxes are atknown locations, tuning a CT/MD for operation as a GPS receiver, orother locating system, to the network units/boxes would give a preciselocation with respect to the home or office units/boxes. There are twopossible locations for only two stations. Normally, therefore, threestations are required, but in many cases, for a CT/MD, one of the twolocations is known to be invalid. For example, the location is knownwell enough to automatically rule out one location. In this case, thelocation will be precisely known from only the office and home networkboxes, or from these units/boxes with respect to a public wirelessstation, or with respect to a satellite, or both. This software basedconfiguration is available from the network, such as from a server Clocated on the Internet that enables dynamic reconfiguration anywhere inthe world for a CT/MD.

The MD is able to sense which environment it is primarily operating inat a given moment while maintaining the ability to switchinstantaneously to a different environment. It has the ability to be ina watchdog or sleep mode in different environments while very active ina given environment at a particular time. This allows the MD to be veryuseful in one or more environments as the use dictates.

The same MD can be a part of the wired network and one or more wirelessnetworks obviating the need for multiple devices. The MD operates in theIP mode (Internet Protocol) in the wired or wireless domains. Theinvention also deals with either wired or wireless networkcontrol/management units such as a multichannel, multiplexingtransmit/receive (T/R) device—referred to also as a network unit orbox—when they exist in each environment.

The present invention deals with any wired or wireless network box as adynamically configurable device utilizing the power of the Internet anda central server C working alone or in tandem with other servers whereever they are located, and local or Internet based network boxes. Thisis illustrated using a cellular telephone but is fully extendable to allmobile devices.

FIG. 1 illustrates embodiments of a cellular telephone (CT) and a mobiledevice (MD). In FIG. 1, CT 102 is representative of the type of phoneuseful for the improved uses of the present invention. It will be clearto those of ordinary skill in the art that physical changes to the CTare not required. MD 104 is representative of the type of MD useful forthe improved uses of the present invention, and as with the CT does notrequire physical changes. Wireless device (WD) 106 represents anotherembodiment of the CT and/or MD, and also will require no physicalchanges to implement the improvements of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is an illustration of an embodiment of a communication andcontrol system 200. In FIG. 2A:

Cellular telephone or mobile device (CT/MD) 202 working in a domain 200is highlighted in FIG. 2. In this embodiment the primary mode is througha public carrier 208.

The cellular phone (CT) 202 can initiate wireless IP connection 204 tothe Internet 206 via the public carrier 202 at a set frequency, Fp 208,designated by the carrier and tuned for T/R for that particularcarrier's FCC approved frequency band of operation. The carrier sensesthe T/R and makes either wired or wireless connections 210 to theInternet via an Internet backbone connection 212 to a desired Server C214 or any web site 216 as defined by a URL request 224 of the CT/MD202.

When a CT/MD 202 wishes to use the services of Server C 214, the ServerC 214 delivers the content or performs functions as requested by theCT/MD 202.

A CT/MD 202 can store profiles and other user specific information onthe Server C 214.

Server C 214 can be used to keep the various “functional instructionsets” (FIS) and software (S/W) 218 for use by the CT/MD 202. The FIS andsoftware 218 resident on Server C 214 will serve to provide the primaryrepository/exchange to deliver various mode reconfiguration requests tothe CT/MD 202. For example, the CT/MD 202 may send a request to theServer C 214 for configuration as a cell phone because it is not in thehome environment. In this mode the CT/MD 202 may still receiveinputs/outputs from to the local office loop network box or the homenetwork box via the public carrier channel 208.

The ability to sense and switch from one mode to the other may includelinking 222 to a Global Positioning System (GPS) 220 that determines theexact location of the CT/MD 202. Thus the CT/MD 202 may sense (or theappropriate network box at the office or home may sense) the location ofthe network box or the net to bring the CT/MD 202 into any local orcarrier loop 208.

The CT/MD 202 in conjunction with the Server C 218 can decide thepreferred mode to be in. There may be a primary mode and severalsecondary modes or a hierarchy of modes. The primary mode may switchfrom local office FIG. 2B to a public carrier loop 208, followed by ahome loop FIG. 2C. This switching may be automatic or per specificfunctional instruction sets 218 and preferences stored on the Server C214 or in the CT/MD 202 itself.

FIG. 2B is an illustration of an embodiment of a Local Office Loop 230in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 2B, a local wirelessoffice IP network 232, which could also be a local area network (LAN) orother connectivity means, communicates with local servers 234. Servers234 then connect on an as-needed basis with, for example, the world wideweb (WWW).

The same CT/MD 202 can function in the local office loop 230 under thesupervision of a local office wireless network switch or box 232.

The local office 230 can operate at the same or a different frequencyfor T/R. It is preferable for the local network box 232 and loop 230 tobe at different frequencies that are geared toward a smaller area ofinfluence. In that way the local network box 232 and loop 230 do notinterfere with, for example, a public carrier frequency domain. Thelocal network box 232 and loop 230 will be under the control of thelocal office—such as an office building or office campus.

The local wireless network switch or box 232 may operate at one or morefrequencies. In this way, one of more channels will be devoted to apublic carrier frequency 210 for T/R and one or more channels 208 willbe devoted for T/R optimized for localized use in the campus or officebuilding.

The CT/MD 202 when in the local office loop 236 can switch itself foroptimal performance in the local office loop 230 bydownloading/uploading FIS 218 and/or protocols in tandem with Server C214.

Thus the CT/MD 202 can serve as a cordless phone in the localenvironment for interoffice phone calls or local area network 236 accessworking in tandem with a local network box 232.

In a similar fashion as described above, the CT/MD 202 also serves as aremote controller 270 for controlling intelligent office appliances 238such as copiers and faxes.

FIG. 2C illustrates a CT/MD 202 in the home loop 260. In FIG. 2C, theCT/MD 202 communicates through an optional uplink/downlink such as atransmit/receive unit 262 to home server 264. Home server 264 controlsHome Intelligent Appliances (HIAP) 266. In this way, the CT/MD 202 canbe a TV remote 272, remote access 274 for an oven or microwave forstarting/stopping an operation at a desired time, or perform otherhousehold duties.

The same CT/MD 202 will function in the local home loop 260 under thesupervisory control of a home network box 262 able to T/R in a specifichome frequency band.

The home wireless network box 262 operates at same or differentfrequency of T/R as a public carrier 210. However, it is desirable tohave different frequency of T/R optimized for home area wirelessnetworks.

The local home wireless network box 262 may operate at one or morepublic carrier frequencies 210 and one or more local home wirelessnetwork box frequencies 268.

The CT/MD 202 when in the home wireless network mode may switch itselffor this task for optimal performance by downloading/uploading FIS 218(function instruction software) and/or protocols in tandem with Server C214.

The CT/MD 202 may serve as a cordless phone (connected or hooked into alanded telephone line as an example, and operating as a telephone or asan IP phone) in the home wireless network loop 260 because it is nowconfigured by the FIS 218. Also, the CT/MD 202 may be emulated by acordless phone, such as by being configured with the FIS 218, allowingthe functions of the CT/MD 202 to be performed without wasting air time.When the CT/MD 202 is being emulated by a cordless telephone, thecordless telephone base station may also be emulated by, for example,home server 264, such as by inserting a memory card to reconfigure thehome server 264. One CT/MD 202, even when being emulated by, forexample, a cordless phone, serves many purposes as opposed to requiringmany telephone hand sets (one for the home, one for the office, and onefor the car, as an example). Paging from one phone to the other in thewireless home network may be done very easily. All you need to carry isyour CT/MD 202, real or emulated, which doubles as a regular telephonehand set.

In a similar fashion as described above, the CT/MD 202 may serve as aremote controller for various IP based intelligent wireless or wiredhome appliances 266. The TV may be controlled using the cell phone ifthe TV set is capable of receiving wireless commands. Opening the garagedoor may be done with a macro command downloaded from the Central ServerC 214.

Any set of “macro commands” and or detailed FIS 218 may be written forspecific wireless intelligent appliances 266 or wireless intelligentequipment 238 to control/command all of these using the CT/MD 202 inconjunction with Server C 214.

The commands/instructions are keypad, textual, sound or voice actuatedand can be in one or more languages, such as Chinese, English or anyother language supported.

FIG. 3 illustrates how a CT/MD 302 cooperates with a Server C 306. InFIG. 3, internal structure 304 of CT/MD 302 shows how CT/MD 302 isorganized for operation with Server C 306. Server C 306 also hasinstructions 308 as well as FIS 218 for allowing operation with CT/MD302, and input/output paths 310 and 312 from Server C 306 forinterfacing or transmitting and receiving from and to external devicessuch as intelligent appliances 266 or intelligent equipment 238.

FIG. 4 illustrates how the communication and control system 200 of thepresent invention is mapped 402, 404 to various modes. In FIG. 4 onlyprimary, secondary and tertiary modes are shown in table 402 and intable 404, but more modes can be easily accommodated by simpleextensions of the entries shown. In connection with FIG. 4:

The CT 202 wishes to be in the primary mode of the local wireless officeloop 230 whereas it is currently in the public carrier wireless loop200.

A request, menu or macro command is chosen by the CT 202 and a requestfor reconfiguration is sent to the Server C 214 via the wirelessInternet 204 using frequency Fp and utilizing a public carrier 208.

The Server C 214 looks up the functional instruction set 218 and mapsthe instruction set for transmission to the CT 202. The CT 202 processesthe instruction set via the controller and processor electronics locatedwithin the CT 202 and loads the new FSI 218 into the memory block of theCT 202, and tunes/sets the frequencies within the T/R blocks to primaryfrequency Fp and secondary frequency F1. Now the CT 202 is converted tothe primary local office mode 230.

The CT 202 is now operating in the local office 230 loop and cancontrol/communicate with various units, appliances and equipment 238within the loop working in tandem with the local wireless network box232. Similar examples can be shown for home wireless network box 262.

-   i) In the present invention Transmit and Receive frequencies may be    tuned to one or more primary values and one or more subsidiary    values.-   ii) The functional instruction sets 218 may be downloaded/uploaded    from/to the central server C 214 for optimal performance in a given    domain and may be downloaded/uploaded into the memory of the CT/MD    202.-   iii) The secondary or subsidiary modes are active to instantly    spring into action/service as needed without losing the full feature    functionality. Thus the device 202 instantly becomes a cell phone in    the public carrier network 210 upon receiving a signal even when it    is operating in the local wireless network 208 loop.-   iv) Server C 214 may keep watchdog functions alive when the CT 202    is in a different mode or is inactive to instantly deliver all the    content that might have been sent in the meantime as though the CT    202 was in the public carrier 210 domain.-   v) Controller electronics within the CT/MD 202 work in tandem with    Server C 214 to deliver the functionality and maintain the ability    to switch modes and keep track of modes.-   vi) The processor electronics within the CT/MD 202 along with the    processing and software capability of Server C 214 is able to    continually deliver all necessary processing horsepower and    capability to device CT/MD 202.-   vii) The memory electronics within the CT/MD 202 keeps/caches    instructions and other data in conjunction with Server C 214 to    quickly execute tasks and efficiently update changes in models.-   viii) The Transmitter and Receiver are independently tunable to one    or more frequencies for operation in different environments based on    the instructions of internal controller electronics and that of    Server C 214.

FIG. 5 is an embodiment of the wireless communication and control systemof the present invention with more detail of the network control box500. Server C 214 is located at home 260, office 230 or other location200 and has one or more assigned channels of inputs and outputs 502.Example: standard telephone line, cable, or standard public carriercellular telephone frequency.

Other input and output channels 504 are each dynamically tunable, suchas to specific power levels, channel bandwidths and frequencies ofoperation, for maintaining reliability and integrity and toreceive/transmit wireless communications from/to one or more services.

Inputs and outputs 502, 504 are multiplexed for optimal assignment bythe controller, Server C 214, based on requests and utilization/demand.

The network box 500 may have one or more static IP addresses and one ormore dynamic IP addresses may be assigned by the network box 500 to adifferent MD/SD 202 in the wireless network 200, 230, 260.

The functional instruction sets 218 for configuration to different modesis maintained on a Central Server C 214 located on the Internet 206. TheServer C 214 works in tandem with the controllers located within theCT/MD 202 or within the local or home wireless network switch/box 500 todynamically configure the network switch 500 and the CT/MD 202. Both theCT/MD 202 and the wireless network control box 500 are dynamicallyconfigurable working in tandem with Server C 214 located on the Internet206.

The present invention deals with the issues of functionality using awired or wireless network box and the dynamically configurable deviceutilizing the power of the Internet. In accordance with the invention, acentral server C 214 (one or more) works alone or in tandem with otherlocal and Internet servers and local or other Internet based networkboxes. This will be illustrated using a cellular telephone but is fullyextendable to all mobile devices.

Cellular telephone or mobile device CT/MD 202 working in the domain 200,230, 260 highlighted in FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, and FIG. 2C. Primary mode isthrough public carrier 204.

CT 202 initiates wireless IP connection to the Internet 206 via thepublic carrier 204 at a set frequency, Fp 208, designated by the carrierand tuned for T/R for that particular carrier's FCC approved frequencyband of operation. The carrier senses the T/R and makes either wired orwireless connections to the Internet 206 via the Internet backboneconnection 212 to a desired Server C 214 or any web site 216 as definedby the CT/MD's URL request. CT/MD 202 completes the transaction asdefined by this loop 200, 230, 260.

When CT/MD 202 wishes to use the services of Server C 214, the Server C214 works to efficiently deliver the content or perform functionsrequested by CT/MD 202.

CT/MD 202 utilizes the profiles and other user specific information 218stored on the Server C 214.

Server C 214 is used to keep the various “functional instruction set”and software 218 for use by CT/MD 202. This FIS and software 218resident on Server C 214 will serve as the primary repository/exchangeto deliver various mode reconfiguration requests to the CT/MD 202. Forexample, the CT/MD 202 may send a request to the Server C 214 to beconfigured as a cell phone because it is not in the home environment260. In this mode the CT/MD 202 may still receive inputs/outputs from tothe local office loop network box 232 or the home network box 262, butthis is via the public carrier channel 208.

The ability of a CT/MD 202 to sense and switch from one mode to theother may be linked to a Global Positioning System (GPS) 220 thatdetermines the exact location of the CT/MD 202. The CT/MD 202 may sense(or the appropriate network box 232, 262 at the office or home maysense) the location of the network box 232, 262 or the net to bring theCT/MD 202 into any local or carrier loop.

The CT/MD 202 in conjunction with the Server C 214 decides the preferredmode to be in. There may be a primary mode and several secondary modesor a hierarchy of modes. The primary mode may be local office 232 andthen the public carrier 204 loop, followed by the home 262 loop. Thisswitching may be automatic or per specific functional instruction set218 and preferences stored on the Server C 214 or in the CT/MD 202itself.

FIG. 2B is an embodiment of a Local Office 230 Loop. In FIG. 2C a localwireless office IP network 232 communicates with a CT/MD 202 and withOffice Servers 234. Office Servers 234 then connect to the Internet 206and from there to Server C 214. Server C 214 then connects to websitesand servers on the Internet 206 as required.

The CT/MD 202 functions in the local office 230 loop under thesupervision of a local office wireless network switch or box 232.

The local office 230, such as a local network box 232, can operate atthe same or different frequencies for T/R. It is preferable for thelocal network box 232 and loop 230 to be at different frequencies gearedtowards a smaller area of influence so as not to interfere with a publiccarrier frequency domain 210. This also allows the local network box 232to be under the control of the local office 230—such as an officebuilding or office campus.

The local wireless network switch or box 232 operates at one or morefrequencies with one or more channels devoted to public carrierfrequencies 210 for T/R and one or more channels for T/R optimized forlocalized use 236 in the campus or office building.

The CT/MD 202, when in the local office 230 loop, switches itself foroptimal performance in the local office 230 loop bydownloading/uploading FIS 218 instructions and/or protocols in tandemwith Server C 214.

In one embodiment the CT/MD 202 serves as a cordless phone in the localenvironment for interoffice phone calls or local area network 236 accessworking in tandem with local network box 232.

In a similar fashion as described above, the CT/MD 202 also serves as aremote controller for controlling intelligent office appliances 238 suchas copiers and faxes.

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of the communication and control system 600 ofthe present invention. In FIG. 6, CT/MD 202 is being used in the homeloop 260 and illustrates how a processor 602 and memory 604 form acontroller 606 with a transmitter 608 and receiver 610 to provide theServer C 214 of the present invention.

The CT/MD 202 may function in the local home 260 loop under thesupervisory control of a home network box 500 able to T/R at thespecific home frequency band.

The home wireless network box 500 operates at the same or differentfrequencies of T/R as a public carrier. It is desirable to havedifferent frequencies of T/R optimized for home area wireless networks.

The local home wireless network box operates at one or more publiccarrier frequencies and one or more local home wireless network boxfrequencies.

The CT/MD 202, when in the home wireless network 260 mode, switchesitself for this task for optimal performance by downloading/uploadingFIS 218 (function instruction software) and/or protocols in tandem withServer C 214.

The CT/MD serves as a cordless phone (connected or hooked into a landedtelephone line, as an example) in the home wireless network loop becauseit is now configured to be so by the FIS. Thus one CT/MD serves manypurposes such as replacing many telephone hand sets (one for the home,one for the office, and one for the car). Paging from one phone to theother in the wireless home network may be done very easily. The CT/MDdoubles as a regular telephone hand set.

In a similar fashion as described above, the CT/MD may also serve as aremote controller for various IP based intelligent wireless or wiredhome appliances. The TV may be controlled using the cell phone if the TVset is capable of receiving wireless commands/output. The electronicgarage door opener may be a macro command downloaded from the CentralServer C.

FIG. 7 is an embodiment of the communication and control system 700 ofthe present invention with tables demonstrating parameter setting for aCT/MD 202 or a Server C 214, such as for different configurations andenvironments. In FIG. 7, CT/MD 202 supports two frequencies in thisembodiment, and both are dynamically changed in real time, includingpower output and channel bandwidth as well as frequency, in thisembodiment. Table 702 represents the initial operating state, and table704 represents the new operating state assumed by the CT/MD 202 or theServer C 214.

Any set of “macro commands” and or detailed FIS 218 may be written forspecific wireless intelligent appliances 266 or equipment 238 to controlor command all of these using the CT/MD 202 in conjunction with Server C214. The control of the intelligent appliances 266 or intelligentequipment 238 is done in real time with dynamic reallocation of theenvironment as shown in tables 702 and 704.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed, and it should be understoodthat many modifications and variations are possible in light of theabove teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order tobest explain the principles of the present invention and its practicalapplication, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilizethe present invention and various embodiments, with variousmodifications, as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It isintended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claimsappended hereto and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless communication system, comprising: awireless device which supports voice and data communications; a server;and a memory, wherein a processor is communicatively coupled with thememory, wherein the memory stores functional instructions includinginstructions for use in providing a plurality of functions to thewireless device, at least one of the functional instructions providedfor switching between one or more networks including at least one publicnetwork, and wherein the memory further stores a plurality ofcommunication protocols, that facilitate communication between theserver and the wireless device, and wherein the server serves as aprimary repository or exchange to deliver various functions to thewireless device, wherein the server enables dynamic conversion of thewireless device from a first function to a second function to provide aplurality of functions at the wireless device.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the wireless device is adapted to switch dynamically betweenlocal networks and public carrier networks.
 3. The system of claim 1,further comprising a local network switchbox adapted to perform thefunctions of a wireless local area network box.
 4. The system of claim1, wherein the wireless device is adapted to function as a remotecontroller for copiers and fax machines.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the wireless device is adapted to control home intelligentappliances including any of a TV, oven, microwave, and other appliances.6. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is adapted tostart and stop devices and manage power settings of the devices.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is adapted to manageenergy settings and energy usage of household devices.
 8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the wireless device is adapted to perform householdduties including turning on and off devices, and controlling variousinput and output parameters of the devices.
 9. The system of claim 1,wherein the wireless device is adapted to control functions of atelevision set.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless deviceis adapted to control a garage door opener.
 11. The system of claim 1,wherein controls are sent via keypad, sound, or voice actuated commandsin one or more languages.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein powerlevels, channel bandwidths, and frequencies of operation are tunable andconfigurable between the wireless device and one or more intelligentappliances.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless device isadapted to have content streamed thereto from a server on the Internet.14. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is adapted toserve as a regular telephone handset.
 15. The system of claim 1, whereinthe server is a component of the wireless device.
 16. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the wireless device is configured to function as aserver.
 17. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second functionincludes one or more of intelligent device control applications, IPtelephony functions, video applications, television functions, audioapplications, and electronic mail transmit and receive functions. 18.The system of claim 1, wherein the public network includes a GSM networkand wherein a private network includes a wireless local area network(WLAN) for use in a home or office.